University research support for Domestic Violence Centrelink Debt Waver Bill

Reforming the law to allow the Centrelink debts of family or domestic violence victims to be waived is long overdue.
This is the view from Griffith University social justice researcher Dr Lyndal Sleep, who has provided strong support to the recent move by Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, to introduce to parliament a private bill aimed at relieving the burden for such victims on Centrelink payments.
MP Wilkie introduced to parliament a private bill late last month, aimed specifically at relieving the burden for such victims on Centrelink payments.
Existing legislation allows for debts to be cleared in special circumstances, but Mr Wilkie believes it’s vague and may not apply to some situations.
The Social Services Legislation Amendment (Relieving Domestic Violence Victims of Debt) Bill 2017 gives Centrelink the specific power to waive Centrelink debts incurred by victims of domestic violence due to the abuse.
“I applaud Mr Wilkie’s concern about this area of law and

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